January 29 Releases, 2013

By: Carolyn Menyes, Managing Editor

Typically for the movie industry, January is the month when… how do I say this?… not very good movies are released. Or straight-up bad (example: Movie 43).

For the music industry, however, it seems like January is the month where a whole lotta nothin’ comes out. January 29 is a slightly paltry day for album releases, but the world has some stuff going on. Let’s have a look-see, shall we?

Now, this is where it gets a little embarrassing and a little personal. This summer, I missed seeing Justin Bieber at the famous Apollo Theater by, like, three people. His manager came out to tell my roommate and me (as well as a few other straggling fans) that we were just a little too late.  

At that show, the power went out and Bieber had to perform some songs acoustic with the audience. After hearing about what a legendary show this was, I was even more bummed. This was the low point of my June.

But, my disappointment was a little lifted when Bieber announced Believe Acoustic, a stipped-down version of his now well-loved songs and three brand spankin’ new tracks (including the Selena Gomez breakup track, "Nothing Like Us"). Now, call me whatever what you want, but I’m convinced this scrappy lil’ Canadian has a good bit of talent. He can pluck his guitar with the rest of them and his voice has developed into a solid one for his pop. If nothing else, this is what all the youngins are listening to, so strip away the pretension and give this a spin.

If I may attempt to restore some of my indie cred, Local Natives' Hummingbird is another release I’m stoked on. The band's last album, Gorilla Manor, is the kind of record I forgot about until I stumbled across it on shuffle, then I instantly remembered its wonderfulness. I’m hopeful about the follow-up, though if the few tracks I sampled (including lead single “Breakers”) are any indication, it’s a little on the dull side. Atmospheric! But dull.

Sister singing team Tegan and Sara dropped their first studio album in nearly four years, Heartthrob. I’m not going to pretend to know anything about them except for their sexuality and their relation to one another. So, I can’t make claims about whether or not fans will be pleased. Just being honest! However, opening track/lead single “Closer” is a poppy, blippy little number. I got some Gwen Stefani, L.A.M.B.-era vibes, as well as some mid-‘90s girly pop. Worth a listen or two, I’d say.

In other releases, Destiny’s Child put out a greatest-hits compilation, Love Songs. Juuuust in time for Beyoncé’s turn at the Super Bowl. Well played. The lone new track (their first in eight years), "Nuclear," is some smooth-ass R&B with a serious mid-‘90s, En Vogue vibe, and thus, it feels a little dated. Certainly more dated than “Say My Name,” and that song’s actually old. It’s more adult than anything they’ve ever done, which I guess is a solid reflection of this point in their lives. And, you know, good for Kelly and Michelle.